Google Actually is Creating Its Own Wireless Network, But Only on Its Mountain View Campus

Last week, Google submitted paperwork to the FCC in order to gain approval on an “experimental radio service” with a two-mile radius that covers its Mountain View campus. Our initial thought – Google Wireless! Or is it? Or will it ever be? Here is what we know.

First, a Google spokesperson has declined to comment on the purpose of this application, saying that they regularly experiment with new things. Second, the first deployment of this experimental network will happen inside the building that houses the Google Fiber team. Third, the frequency they are looking to use ranges from 2524 to 2625MHz, the same frequencies that are owned/used by Clearwire, which almost no Android or smartphone can currently utilize. Clearwire refused to comment on whether or not it’s working with Google.

So what’s the point then? Wireless engineer Steven Crowley, who initially spotted the FCC application, is claiming that the only reason to use these frequencies, “is if you have business designs on mobile service.”

Countries like China, Brazil and Japan are building wireless networks that use the same frequencies that Google is asking to use, so maybe that’s a sign of where they are looking. At some point, if networks there are using those frequencies, it only makes sense that there will be phones that can use them.

Other than all of that, the rest is a confusing mess. At least we know one thing, Google is at least experimenting with some sort of wireless network. And we like it when Google experiments.